KU Leuven
KU Leuven (or Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)[a][2] is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven, Belgium.
For the 1425–1797 university, see Old University of Leuven. For the 1817–1835 university, see State University of Leuven. For the 1834–1968 university, see Catholic University of Leuven (1834–1968). For the present-day French-speaking university, see Université catholique de Louvain.
Other name
Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven[b]
Sedes Sapientiae (Latin)
Seat of Wisdom
Publicly-funded Catholic university
1425 as Studium Generale Lovaniense (predecessor institution)
1834 as Catholic University of Belgium
1970 (split)
11,534
65,189 (2021–22)
7,172 (2021–22)
Blue and white
Fons Sapientiae
In addition to its main campus in Leuven, it has satellite campuses in Kortrijk, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Ostend, Geel, Diepenbeek, Aalst, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, and in Belgium's capital Brussels.[3] KU Leuven is the largest university in Belgium and the Low Countries. In 2021–22, more than 65,000 students were enrolled, with 21% being international students.[4] Its primary language of instruction is Dutch, although several programs are taught in English, particularly graduate and postgraduate degrees.[5][6] It is routinely ranked among the top 50 universities in the world by Times Higher Education.[7]
Although Catholic in theology and heritage, KU Leuven operates independently from the Church.[8] KU Leuven previously only accepted baptized Catholics, but is now open to students from different faiths or life-stances.[9][10]
While nowadays only the acronymic name KU Leuven is used, the university's legal name is Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, officially Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven,[b] which translates in English as Catholic University of Leuven.[a] However, the acronymic name is not translated in official communications, like its similarly named French-language sister university Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain).
Organization and academics[edit]
Academics at KU Leuven is organized into three groups, each with its own faculties, departments, and schools offering programs up to doctoral level. While most courses are taught in Dutch, many are offered in English, particularly the graduate programs.[35] Notable divisions of the university include the Institute of Philosophy and the Rega Institute for Medical Research.
The students of the university are gathered together in the student's council Studentenraad KU Leuven.[36]
University hospital[edit]
Universitair ziekenhuis Leuven (UZ Leuven) is the teaching hospital associated with the KU Leuven. Its most well known and largest campus is Gasthuisberg, which also houses the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences and most of the faculty of medicine.
Breakthrough and notable research[edit]
KU Leuven scientists have managed to produce a solar hydrogen panel, which is able to directly convert no less than 15 per cent of sunlight into hydrogen gas, which according to them is a world record.[39][40][41][42] In the solar hydrogen panel the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions are performed in the gas phase in cathode and anode compartments separated by a membrane. Anion exchange membranes provide an alkaline environment enabling the use of earth abundant materials as electrocatalysts.[40]
According to IEEE Spectrum in 2019 this is a giant leap from 0.1% efficiency 10 years earlier.[42]
This technology bypasses the conversion losses of the classical solar–hydrogen energy cycle where solar power is first harvested via a solar panel and only then to converted to hydrogen with electrolysis plants.
Since July 2002, thirteen higher education institutes have formed the KU Leuven Association. Members include:[43]
KU Leuven is a member of a number of international university affiliations including the League of European Research Universities, Coimbra Group, UNA Europa, Universitas 21, and Venice International University, among others.
The university is a member of the Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology. The Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre is a spin-off company of the university.
University rankings
86 (2023)
107 (2023)
58 (2023)
61 (2024)
7 (2019)
45 (2024)
50 (2022-23)
2 (2022)
1 (2023)
1 (2023)
1 (2024)
1 (2023)
1 (2022-23)
Notable recipients of honorary doctorates at the KU Leuven include:
